Automatically-operated switch.



I Nd- 832,659. PATENTED OCT. 9, 1906.

G. F. ELDRIDGE. AUTOMATICALLY. OPERATED SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1905.

[Tau/ rit? Eldr/ wAsnmmaN, p c.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLIE FLOIED EL'DRIDGE, OF HEREIN, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATICALLY-OPERATED SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1906.

Application filed July 8.1905- Serial No, 268,306-- lowing is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in automatically-operated switches, and

more particularly to switches used in mines to connect the main line with sidings, on which the mine-cars are adapted to be run when it is desired to dump them.

The object of the invention is the provision of a switch of this character with operating means so arranged that the motor-car which draws the train of mine-cars will pass through the switch and onto the main line and will then, through the actuation of suitable tripping devices, set the switch to permit the mine-cars which have been disconnected from the motor-car previous to its entrance. into the switch to pass onto the siding.

In the drawings, wherein a preferable embodiment of my invention is shown, and wherein like reference-letters designate corresponding parts in the several views, Figure l is a plan view of my improved switch. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing the actuating rock-shaft.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the rails of the main line, and B the rails of the siding.

C designates a pair of switch-rails which are pivotally mounted at one end and which are adapted to be moved in the usual manner to permit cars to be run either on the main line or the siding. The free ends of the switch-rails C are rigidly connected by the switch-bar 0, one end of which projects be yond the rails of the main line. The projecting end of the switch-bar C is connected by means of a link a with one arm of a bell-crank lever D, which is pivotally mounted on the projecting portion of one of the ties or on any other suitable support. Pivotally secured to the other arm of the bell-crank lever D is the longitudinally-disposed lever E, the free end of which extends beyond the pivots of the switch-rails C and is provided with an elongated slot 6.

F designates a transverse rock-shaft which is journaled in bearings f, secured to the under side of the rails of the main line beyond the pivotal connection of the switch-pieces C. The shaft F is provided adjacent one end thereof with a downwardly-extending crank portion which engages with the slot 6 in the end of the lever E. The shaft F is also provided adjacent the rails of the main line with a pair of upwardly-extending arms f which are provided adjacent their free ends with inwardly-disposed extensions, on which are j ournaled the rollers f. A weight f secured to the downwardly-extending cranked portion of the rock-shaft F, serves to maintain the arms f in a substantially vertical position, regardless of the condition of the switch, so that the rollers f carried thereby, will be engaged by the wheels of a car running over the track in either direction.

The switch-pieces C are locked in their open and closed positions by the weighted lever'G, which is pivotally connected at its lower end to a boxing g, secured to the end of one of the ties, and which passes through a slot in the lever E, and is pivotally secured thereto, as at g. The lever G can also be used, if desired, to actuate the switch manually.

In the use of the device the switch is set for the main line, as shown in Fig. 1. If now a train of cars is approaching the switch, the engineer just before uncouples the motor-car from the train. The motor-car will then run ahead of the train and through the switch and onto the main line. -As soon as the motor-car passes through the switch its wheels engage the rollers on the arms f and rock the shaft F, thereby setting the switch so that the train of cars will pass onto the siding, where they can be stopped and unloaded. In returning the motor-car will again set the switch for the main line.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise form of construction shown in the drawings, as it is obvious that many minor changes might be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, a main line, a siding, a switch, means for automatically operating said switch, including a single tripping device positioned beyond the heel of said switch and adapted to be engaged by a wheel of a car after passing over said arriving at the switch movable switch-pieces and provided with an arm adapted to be engaged by a passing car after the same has passed said swltch to con-' nect the main line and siding whereby a portion of the train which has been previously disconnected from said car will be permitted to pass onto the siding.

3. In an automatic switch, movable switch members, and operating means therefor including a longitudinal movable rod connected at one end to said switch members, a rockshaft journaled below the rails of the track, a

-weighted arm depending from said rock-shaft and having a loose connection with the opposite end of the longitudinal movable rod, and

an arm extending upwardly from said shaft above the rails so as to be engaged by the wheels of a passing train;

4. In an automatic switch, movable switch members and operating means therefor including a longitudinal movable rod connected at one end to said switch members, a rockshaft journaled below the rails of the track, a weighted arm depending from said shaft and having apin-and-slot connection with the opposite end of the longitudinal movable rod, an arm extending upwardly from said shaft above the rails so as to be engaged by the walls of the passing train, and a weighted lever fulcrumed below said longitudinal movable rod and having a pivotal connection therewith intermediate its ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLIE FLOIED ELDItI-DGE. Witnesses:

FRANK WAGONER, LoUIs WAeoNER. 

